James Gavin Beyersdorfer, 63, of Franklin passed away unexpectedly.
Born on Feb. 13, 1961, in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late James Richard Beyersdorfer and brother-in-law, Jeffrey John Shaw.
Mr. Beyersdorfer grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and attended Walt Whitman High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, before embarking on a career as a general contractor.
Never meeting a piece of scrap lumber he didn’t like, he was a resourceful and skilled carpenter for more than 30 years. He lived and worked in the Washington, DC, area while caring for his parents. After their deaths, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of making a home in West Virginia, where he continued working on projects across Pendleton County.
He was a lover and explorer of the outdoors, often with one of his much loved yellow labs in tow. His favorite place was his North Fork Mountain property, where he studied animal tracks, feuded with bears, and flagged the locations of lady slipper orchids so as not to disturb them with one of his many construction projects.
He was a devoted and deeply loved son, brother, uncle and friend. Always ready to provide his support, he helped care for his parents, sister, and brother-in-law at the end of their lives. He was a kind and steady presence in the lives of all who knew him.
He is survived by a sister, Marcella Ann Beyersdorfer of Petersburg; and two nieces, Casey Ann Shaw of Miami, Florida, and Erin Duffy Shaw of Richwood.
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to one’s local volunteer fire department or a charity of choice.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
